7/28/2021 Time synchronization issues on Windows VMs with the 9.

x Citrix VM Tools

Customers who  Updates to Citrix VM Tools for Windows -  Updates to XenIface Windows I/O driver -  Recommended Hotfixes for XenServer 7.x
For XenServer and Citrix Hypervisor For Citrix Hypervisor and XenServer
viewed this article also  
https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX235403?re… https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX235405?rec… https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX296949?rec…
viewed

CTX272319

Time synchronization issues on Windows VMs with the 9.x

Citrix VM Tools
Article | Configuration | Created:
06 May 2020 | Modified:
26 Jun 2020

Applicable Products
Citrix Hypervisor XenServer

Symptoms or Error
On Windows VMs with the xeniface 9.0.0.11 or 9.1.0.4 driver installed, the VM time can become unsynchronized when the time set by
the Citrix VM Tools conflicts with the Windows VM's own time synchronization (for example, using Active Directory or NTP).

Solution
The following workarounds are available for this issue:

Disable the Citrix VM Tools time synchronization

In this case, the Windows VM's time synchronization provides the correct time to the VM.

If you have the xeniface 9.1.0.4 (and later) driver installed on your Windows VM, you can use a registry key to disable time
synchronization in the Citrix VM Tools.

1. Open the Registry Editor of your Windows VM

2. Go to the registry key \\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\xenagent
3. Set a DWORD (32 bit) value named TimeSyncMode to 0

 Ensure that Windows time updates are enabled on your VM:

1. Run the command W32tm /config /syncfromflags:ALL /update

2. You can use the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config and the values
MinPollInterval, MaxPollInterval, and SpecialPollInterval to set time service poll intervals.
3. For these registry changes to take effect, restart the W32Time service: net stop w32time && net start w32time
For more information, about Windows time service settings, see https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-
server/networking/windows-time-service/windows-time-service-tools-and-settings
https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX272319 1/3
7/28/2021 Time synchronization issues on Windows VMs with the 9.x Citrix VM Tools

Customers who  Updates to Citrix VM Tools for Windows -  Updates to XenIface Windows I/O driver -  Recommended Hotfixes for XenServer 7.x
If you
viewed have
this the xeniface
article also 9.0.0.11 driver
For XenServer andinstalled on your Windows
Citrix Hypervisor ForVM,
Citrixthe TimeSyncMode registry
Hypervisor and XenServer key is not available. The only way
https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX235403?re… https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX235405?rec… https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX296949?rec…
viewed
to disable time synchronization is to disable XenAgent through the Service Manager window or by using the command sc config
xenagent start=disabled.

However, without the XenAgent service, you cannot shut down or restart your VM from XenCenter. We recommend instead that you
update your version of the xeniface driver to 9.1.0.4 (or later) and use the registry key as described in the preceding part of this
section.

Disable the Windows VM's own time synchronization

In this case, the Citrix VM Tools time synchronization provides the correct time to the VM.

To disable time synchronization on your Windows VM, use the following commands:

w32tm /config /syncfromflags:no /update

net stop w32time && net start w32time

If you have the xeniface 9.1.0.4 (and later) driver installed on your Windows VM, you can use a registry key to ensure that time
synchronization is enabled in the Citrix VM Tools.

1. Open the Registry Editor of your Windows VM

2. Go to the registry key \\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\xenagent

3. Set a DWORD (32 bit) value named TimeSyncMode to 2
4. You can use the DWORD (32 bit) value named TimeSyncInterval to set the time synchronization period in minutes.

Problem Cause
This issue is caused by two inconsistent methods of time synchronization being used on the same Windows VM: the Citrix VM Tools
and the Windows VM's own time synchronization (for example, using Active Directory or NTP).

Additional Resources
For more information about Active Directory time synchronization, see 
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/50924.active-directory-time-synchronization.aspx

For more information, about Windows time service settings, see https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-
server/networking/windows-time-service/windows-time-service-tools-and-settings

Was this page helpful?   Please provide

article feedback.

Featured Products

 
Digital Workspaces Networking
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Citrix ADC
Citrix Workspace App StoreFront Citrix Application Delivery Management
Citrix App Layering Citrix Hypervisor Citrix Gateway Citrix SD-WAN
Citrix Endpoint Management ShareFile
Citrix Content Collaboration

https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX272319 2/3
7/28/2021 Time synchronization issues on Windows VMs with the 9.x Citrix VM Tools

Customers who  Updates to Citrix VM Tools for Windows -  Updates to XenIface Windows I/O driver -  Recommended Hotfixes for XenServer 7.x
For XenServer and Citrix Hypervisor For Citrix Hypervisor and XenServer
viewed this article also
https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX235403?re… https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX235405?rec… https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX296949?rec…
viewed
Need more help?

PRODUCT ISSUES OTHER SUPPORT OPTIONS

Open or view cases

 Chat live
 Citrix Product Documentation


Citrix Discussions

LICENSING, RENEWAL, OR GENERAL ACCOUNT ISSUES

View Support numbers


Select a region  Go

SHARE THIS PAGE


 
 
 


Privacy & Terms

Cookie Preferences

© 1999-2021 Citrix Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX272319 3/3